If you can afford them get them. When decent running shoes are $100 plus I'm not surprised at the cost of good dress shoes. I spent $135 on dress shoes 25 years ago and they still look great. A little kiwi and a spit shine makes them look like new.

It's funny, I don't have too many nice articles of clothing, because of my line of work, and general lack of discipline in taking care of it, but I do buy my wife nice things, and myself from time to time. But, in saying that, one thing I've noticed, the only people who know what high fashion/nice things are, are those who know what it is. I have some cool watches, that some people I hang around with have no idea what they are. I don't flash anything, like keep gesturing with my watch clad hand, but no one ever notices unless you're a douche and try and make them notice. Mostly it's about treating yourself to something quality made that you feel good about wearing. I have some Hermes ties that are old, but still look good today. Quality made items that don't jump ship at every fashion craze, will always be in style.

It's funny, I don't have too many nice articles of clothing, because of my line of work, and general lack of discipline in taking care of it, but I do buy my wife nice things, and myself from time to time. But, in saying that, one thing I've noticed, the only people who know what high fashion/nice things are, are those who know what it is. I have some cool watches, that some people I hang around with have no idea what they are. I don't flash anything, like keep gesturing with my watch clad hand, but no one ever notices unless you're a douche and try and make them notice. Mostly it's about treating yourself to something quality made that you feel good about wearing. I have some Hermes ties that are old, but still look good today. Quality made items that don't jump ship at every fashion craze, will always be in style.

Just like women who spend countless thousands on shoes like it is a necessity but then question why I would spend a few thousand on a watch.

now that i will become a big time GB poster and all that, plus a recent promotion, have lead me to believe i need to get some nice dress shoes

any opinions on the $500 aldens ? classy guys in the forum please chime inshould i go for a balmoral, blucher...

nothing wrong with good dress shoes makes the man but no reason to spend 500 clams some are just overpriced because of the name.. i alfani dress shoes great fit good price. I have a few pair oldest pair 9 years old still looks great leather holds up no cracks

I had to google Alden - never heard of them. Nice looking shoes, and expensive, too. I have a pair of penny loafers that I break out once a year for a dressy occasion, so I'm not much of a clothes horse.

nothing wrong with good dress shoes makes the man but no reason to spend 500 clams some are just overpriced because of the name.. i alfani dress shoes great fit good price. I have a few pair oldest pair 9 years old still looks great leather holds up no cracks

If you knew how the shoe was made and the construction process involved, let alone the quality of the hide, you would find that 500 dollars is rather a bargain for such quality. They will last a life time. Seriously, when you buy an Alden, you buy it for life. This is the way it used to be before Cheap shit from China took over and the throw away society became a mainstay.

As someone else mentioned. People in the know will comment on them. I have one pair of special shoes. Cost me a lot. When i wear them people comment. Chicks will comment, dudes will ask me where I got them. You can wear the cheap everyday shoes you get from Macy's or Aldo, but wear special shoes and people take notice.

As someone else mentioned. People in the know will comment on them. I have one pair of special shoes. Cost me a lot. When i wear them people comment. Chicks will comment, dudes will ask me where I got them. You can wear the cheap everyday shoes you get from Macy's or Aldo, but wear special shoes and people take notice.

I find it funny that your cheap, everyday shoes comes from Macy's or Aldo.

i thought you meant Aldo's... i was gonna say get'em.. but then i thought, wtf Aldo's are 500? i have a few that are 200... then i looked for Alden........ and i am not impressed :/ get yourself 3 pair of aldo's instead..... or better yet, a pair of Ferragamo's.

In defense of the Alden's. Your paying for the little things like the way they handle a stich or the transition between certain parts of the boot, sole and heel construction, etc..... The quality of leather is huge thing when looking at many goods, it may not seem all that different just reading about it, but it's huge when you actually have goods in hand.

Also, if you take care of them, and resole them and they last many seasons, you really haven't spent all that much when you look at the prorated cost.